Organocatalytic Asymmetric Sulfa-Michael Addition of Thiols to 4,4,4-Trifluorocrotonates

The first asymmetric sulfa-Michael addition of thiols to 4,4,4-trifluorocrotonates for the construction of a stereogenic center bearing a unique trifluoromethyl group and a sulfur atom has been achieved in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities with a 1 mol % bifunctional organocatalyst. Subsequent transformation led to the expedient preparation of enantioenriched thiochroman-4-one and the key intermediate of the potent inhibitor of MMP-3, (R)-gamma-trifluoromethyl gamma-sulfone hydroxamate.